Just purchased a new 2002 2500HD with H.O. engine. Was wondering with change in temperature and winter being around the corner in the Northeast is good practice to run the 35 gallon tank empty and refill or can it be done at anytime (currently going half tank - then fill)?
Tx
drtswgr340
10-01-2002, 04:59 PM
I always run mine down till the low fuel light comes on then refuel. I always buy my fuel from a truck stop as they have a quicker turn over on their fuel so it doesn't get water in it
dodge_em
10-01-2002, 06:04 PM
I don't know that I would run it down that low. Leaving it with not much fuel in on a cold night could speed up the gelling process. I would do like DtrSwgr340 says, and get it at a place frequented by trucks, and stay with a name brand fuel if possible. Look for winterized or conditioned fuel. There are a number of off the shelf conditioners you can buy as well to keep the fuel fresh, avoid gelling, and make for easier starts. I don't think you need to fill up when it gets to ½ tank, unless you want to. I try to keep mine above ¼ in the winter. Summer I run it down until the light comes on.
phox_mulder
10-01-2002, 07:54 PM
Another problem with letting it run to low:
The injection pump is cooled and lubricated by the fuel.
Letting it get too low (below 1/4 for instance) results in very hot fuel, severely lacking in cooling ability, very risky for the expensive VP44 injection pump, 1,200.00 for the pump alone, tack on another 800 for installation.
Something like 75% of the fuel running through the pump is returned to the tank very warm, the other 25% actually finds it's way into the cylinders to go boom.
Don't know if you've noticed yet, but the low fuel light and dinger comes on with about 10 gallons left in the tank.
I personally don't let it get below that, the most I've pumped in is 24 gallons.
phox
PSiemens
01-03-2003, 12:19 AM
Phox has given good advise. I hate to run my fuel tank near empty in winter. Because the fuel is warm after a long drive, CONDENSATION will form in the tank. I try to stay above 1/2 a tank. Also use a fuel conditioner. Any problems with the fuel level gauge reading inaccurate?
Phil
mjamgb
01-03-2003, 04:22 PM
If you live in an area where cold temps are the norm in winter, the fuel depots generally offer #1 or conditioned #2 diesel fuel when the seasons change. If the temps get VERY cold then you might consider additives in the tank.
Look around. Usually the guys who sell to agriculture or over-the-road truckers have the best quality fuel.
Condensation, gelling, and overheating the pump are real concerns. When I was single and had lots of time I would never let the tank get below 1/2 so it would be ready to go on a road trip at any time (a habit I picked up working in the fire suppression business).
Overheating is only really a concern to me in the summer when the fuel may be upwards of 90 degrees in the tank even before starting it up!
